June 22, 2009 - 12:54 AMT
Iran is on the verge of martial law announcement
One of Iranian opposition leaders, ex-President Mohammad Khatami said Iran is on the verge of martial law announcement.

Khatami accused government-controlled media in slander campaign initiation and attempt to link mass opposition protests to foreign governments' and Iranian terrorist groups' activities.

Khatami warned the government, "Prohibition for legal protests could make people go too far". The ex-President demanded immediate liberation for opposition activists arrested during recent events.

He also spoke about the necessity to restore communication means blocked by government within the last week of disorders, specifically, mobile, SMS and Internet connections, MIGnews.com reported.

According to unspecified data, 150 people died in Iran during protest rallies, while official sources reported only 19 dead.